The Biological study of the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus through all a year seasons

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, South Valley University

2 Department of plant protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bany Sweaf University

Abstract

The most dangerous insect to threaten palm trees is the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Curculiondiae: Coleoptera). This study was aimed to, study the Biology of the red palm weevil on the food circles (date palm, sugar cane, cucumber, banana peel and watermelon peel) under room temperature through one year. The results showed that spring was the most active season for the red palm weevil and decreases during winter. The previous plants showed their effectiveness in the breeding of the red palm weevil and the watermelon peel was nearly as close to the results of date palms (the main host of the red palm weevil), while the lowest on cucumber. The number of eggs on date palms during spring and winter were (392 and 103 eggs/female), respectively. The number of eggs on watermelon peel during spring and winter were (315 and 90 eggs/female), respectively. The number of eggs on cucumber during spring and winter were (151 and 63 eggs/female), respectively. The number of larval instars on date palm during spring and winter were (12 and 8 instars/larva), respectively. The number of larval instars on watermelon peel during spring and winter were (11 and 4 instars/larva), respectively. The number of larval instars on cucumber during spring and winter were (8 and 3 instars/larva), respectively. Pre-egg laying period on date palm and watermelon peel during spring and autumn were 3 and 4 days, respectively. Pre-egg laying period on cucumber during spring and autumn were 4 and 5 days, respectively. Based on these results must protect palms during period activity of the red palm weevil. Take in consideration, watermelon peel as a type of traps to the red palm weevil in palm plantations..

Keywords